With Pomp, U.K. Bids Farewell to Thatcher

LONDON—Britain's public and senior political leaders, joined by foreign dignitaries, gathered here Wednesday to pay final respects to Margaret Thatcher, modern Britain's longest-serving prime minister, in a day marked by big crowds, grand British ceremony and little of the disruption that had threatened the divisive former leader's funeral.

Despite some protests in the streets, Margaret Thatcher's ceremonial funeral at St. Paul's Cathedral passed without major incident. Here is a view on the atmosphere inside and outside the cathedral from WSJ's Cassell Bryan-Low.

Thousands of people lined the streets to watch Mrs. Thatcher's flag-draped coffin, set on a horse-drawn gun carriage, make its way to 300-year old St. Paul's Cathedral, where her funeral service was held. While the crowds were mostly respectful, there were hints of deep divides in opinion over her legacy for the country. A small number of people booed, chanted and brandished signs with anti-Thatcher slogans.

Photos: Thatcher's Funeral

The funeral procession for former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher drew crowds of protesters opposed to Thatcher's policies and the public expense of the funeral. Video by WSJ's Dipti Kapadia via #WorldStream.

Mrs. Thatcher, who served as prime minister from 1979 to 1990, died on April 8 at age 87 following a stroke.

At the service, the Bishop of London Richard Chartres opened his sermon with a reference to the conflicting views she inspired. "After the storm of a life lived in the heat of political controversy, there is a great calm," he said. "Lying here, she is one of us, subject to the common destiny of all human beings."

He was addressing some 2,300 guests gathered for the service, including Queen Elizabeth II, Prime Minister David Cameron and senior leaders from around the world including prime ministers, foreign ministers, heads of state and other dignitaries from 170 countries.

The concentration of senior political figures, plus concerns about the potential of disruptive protests, led to a heavy security presence, with some 4,000 additional police officers, large crowd-control barriers and roads closed to traffic. Concerns were compounded by Monday's deadly blasts at the Boston Marathon, with London hosting its own race Sunday.

One man was arrested for entering a restricted area and being abusive, London's Metropolitan Police said Wednesday afternoon.

Earlier in the day, the coffin carrying Mrs. Thatcher's body made its way to the cathedral from the Houses of Parliament in Westminster first by hearse and then by the gun carriage, drawn by six horses from the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery. Members of the army, navy and air force lined the procession route. Soldiers fired guns stationed at Tower Bridge during the procession and a Royal Marines band played funeral marches by Beethoven, Chopin and Mendelssohn. Some 700 military personnel took part. The chimes of Big Ben were silenced during the funeral.

The funeral prompted debate in the U.K. about the cost to the public of such a big event.

ENLARGE

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip arrive at St. Paul's Cathedral in London for Margaret Thatcher's funeral.A
Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

Mrs. Thatcher's ceremony was one step short of a state funeral, which is usually reserved for the monarch but was provided for Winston Churchill, Britain's prime minister during World War II. Still, the proceedings contained much of the pomp that goes with such affairs.

Mrs. Thatcher requested that she not lie in state and that there be no military flyby. Her body was cremated in a private ceremony after the funeral service.

The government hasn't disclosed the cost of the event but has said it will do so.

ENLARGE

The coffin of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher arrives at the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday ahead of her funeral in London on Wednesday.
Getty Images

Underlying the debate is the fact that divisions over Mrs. Thatcher's policies remain stark more than two decades after she left office. Supporters of Mrs. Thatcher, Britain's first and only female prime minister, say she transformed Britain into a free-market economy and restored a sense of British pride. But her bitter battles against unions and the tough economic measures she imposed won her many enemies.

Those views were reflected by members of the crowd lining the streets. Amanda Nanhoo-Robinson said she "grew up thinking, 'If Maggie Thatcher can run the country, I could be a barrister.' " Added Ms. Nanhoo-Robinson, who is now a barrister: "She did a lot for the country, for women, for the world."

Margaret Thatcher's Funeral Procession

Thatcher's Life

"She was a pretty unique prime minister who achieved a great deal—she brought back the self-esteem and confidence of the United Kingdom," said Keith Batt, a 75-year-old retired Royal Air Force captain, who was strolling up and down Fleet Street, wearing a bowler hat and toting a large black umbrella, as he looked for a place to glimpse the procession.

But at a street corner near the cathedral, spectators tried to use cheers and applause to drown out protesters' chants of "Maggie, Maggie, Maggie! Dead, Dead Dead!"

Wayne Linskey, 47 years old, wore a Lucifer mask and carried a sign criticizing Mrs. Thatcher's treatment of miners. Mr. Linskey, the nephew of two coal miners, said he blamed Mrs. Thatcher for the economic problems in his hometown of Barnsley in Yorkshire, including for those who have been unemployed since the mines closed.

The roughly hourlong funeral service included two readings—delivered by Mr. Cameron and Mrs. Thatcher's granddaughter—both from the King James Bible, whose prose Mrs. Thatcher found poetic. Music included several British composers including Edward Elgar, hymns such as the patriotic "I Vow to Thee My Country."

There was no eulogy, as Mrs. Thatcher had requested. But during his sermon, the bishop of London recalled Mrs. Thatcher's Methodist upbringing, her struggles entering politics at a time when few politicians were women, her time in office and the loss of her husband. He described her as someone with a strong work ethic, who reflected on how faith and politics related.

There was never any doubt that Margaret Thatcher's death would attract a lot of attention. Her funeral went off without any major incidents but the last nine days have shown how controversial her life was. Nick Hastings looks back at the reaction to her death.

The service prompted tears from some guests, including from Britain's Treasury chief George Osborne—a member of the Conservative Party that Mrs. Thatcher had long led—who later tweeted it had been "a moving, almost overwhelming day."

But the bishop also drew laughter when he recalled her direct manner. He recalled that once, as he sat next to Mrs. Thatcher at a function, she grabbed his wrist and "said very emphatically, 'Don't touch the duck pâté, Bishop—it's very fattening.' "

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